CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 31 May 1919, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS.

THE RECENT ACCIDENT. » Par Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. The adjourned inquiry into the death of William Samuel Brunton, 47 years of age, who died as the result of injuries sustained in the recent tram smash was resumed before the coroner (Mr. &. E. M'Carthy). Motornum Read said he entered the points at six miles an hour, and then built up speed again. When lie felt a jar ho applied the brakes and pullecfeup in a car's length. The tram was overloaded. The trailers had no independent brakes. Conductor Baunton, who was on the first trailer, saidi on noticing that the trailer was derailed he gave the danger signal. The cars were overloaded, and the trailer which overturned was carrying at least ninety passengers. The Coroner: How many passengers are the cars licensed to carry? Mr. Johnston (counsel for the Tramways Union): That is the trouble, sir; they are not licensed. Witness went on to say that in his opinion another conductor on the second trailer would have obviated the accident. He would have known as soon as the trailer left the rails, and signalled the fact. Percy D. Tonkin and Thomas W. Martin, passengers, gave it as their opinion that the tram was travelling too fast. Edward C. Farr, Public Works Department, said he examined the points, which appeared to be in perfect working order. He could ascribe no cause for the car leaving one line and going on to the other. J. E. M'Ennis, district engineer, Public Works Department, gave it as his opinion that excessive speed, together with jolting or rolling of the end trailer, caused the car to leave the rails. The inquiry was adjourned.